We had our first fairly decent weekend for weather this weekend. Temps low to mid eighties and humid. Saturday was a glorious day.
Two months ago it looked looked like this, and it was very slow to warm up this year.
The JD model A piles up some decent snow banks.
Anyhow I shopped and did a lot of prep cooking Thursday. Friday brought the first onslaught of the weekend visitors from far and wide.
Friday we had Cajun crab cakes, followed by a Cajun classic, Tuna Black and Bleu, all served with aromatic rice and a medley of fresh bell peppers with a touch of cumin and fresh herbs.
I was dodging rain Friday night so no pictures, but for Cajun cooking the outside cooking facility is essential.
The main kitchen is right off the top of the stairs.
The tuna is coated with a black pepper crust and some hot chili powder. Garlic butter prepared.
A cast iron saucepan is heated on high for 30 to 40 minutes so it is really hot.
The butter thrown in so it catches fire. Tons of smoke! the tune stakes are placed in the pan, two at a time, and cooked for about 30 secs a side. They have a nice blackened crust and a rare slightly warm center. Sushi grade tuna steaks are required.
Saturday was a glorious day and we had the boat out for touring for the first time this year. We boated from our dock all the way to Walker, on Leech lake for lunch at Chase on the Lake.
In the evening with the prep cooking done we lingered at the lakeside, for Chottapegs. These are the drinks. Chottapeg is Hindustani for "a small one".
In the Raj this became code for an alcoholic beverage.
After the Chottapegs, its time for the final cooking. In this I was assisted by my daughter in law Yvon who cooed the roasted vegetables and Naans, and her friend Sheila, who stirred and added the final ingredients to the chicken with mustard seeds, from Bengal, and the Black pea Dal with tomatoes and mushrooms, while I cooked the Punjabi cauliflower and potatoes.
The chicken was served on a bed of white Basmati rice. A variety of spiced pickles, chutneys and a cooling Yogurt dish were served on the side.
Yesterday, my wife did a shrimp curry to extend the leftovers.
